Corporate/M&A: Maine

THE FIRM This firm is highly regarded for the strength and scope of its business and bankruptcy practices. Its business law team continues to be active on a national and international level, with a series of high-profile transactional work displaying expertise in acquisitions, joint venture arrangements and equity financing. The insolvency and restructuring team is particularly noted for Chapter 11 work and bankruptcy litigation. The firm has been involved in some high-profile deals of late, including advising Magellan Petroleum in its $100 million acquisition of an interest in a gas field off the coast of Australia.

Sources say: "Beyond their legal intellects, they are ahead of the curve in terms of response, explanation and personal service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Carpenter, who led the team in the Magellan Petroleum transaction, is the firm's leading light for complex M&A work and equity financing. Sources describe him as "smart, responsive, tough when needed, and a specialist at getting deals done while still protecting the client."

Eric Saunders is one of the firm's go-to lawyers for business law. His practice includes M&A and other transactional issues, with particular emphasis on the healthcare industry.

Bob Keach is preeminent in the bankruptcy arena, handling major Chapter 11 cases and related litigation throughout New England and beyond. 

Michael Fagone is highly regarded for his representation of debtors, creditors and creditors' committees in Chapter 11 cases. He is also adept in out-of-court workouts and restructurings. Sources describe him as a "fantastic practitioner." 

Sam Anderson's practice involves the representation of debtors and creditors in both pre-bankruptcy work and Chapter 11 restructurings.

Jeremy Fischer has strong experience in bankruptcy litigation, workouts and restructurings, and is praised by sources for his efficiency and legal know-how.

THE FIRM The team at Pierce Atwood offers clients an impressive range of complex commercial expertise. The firm's business practice has recently advised on a range of acquisitions, divestments, financings and nonpublic offerings on a national and international scale. In addition, the firm has significant experience in all aspects of debtor-creditor relations, insolvency issues and Chapter 11 reorganizations. Highlight transactions include representing State Line Scrap in the sale of its business to Prolerized New England, a subsidiary of Schnitzer Steel Industries.

Sources say: "The firm is efficient, informative and sophisticated. They provide great value for money."

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Zimpritch is described by one source as "absolutely preeminent in corporate and corporate governance issues." He advises on a raft of issues relating to financing and M&A, and is particularly noted for his knowledge of the healthcare and insurance industries.

David Champoux is widely acknowledged for his broad expertise in corporate and business law. His practice handles all aspects relating to corporate governance, financing and transactional work.

Christopher Howard, whose practice spans complex corporate finance and transactional representation, receives high praise from sources for his "experience, knowledge and pragmatism." He heads the firm's business practice group.

The "fantastic" Jacob Manheimer is the firm's leading name for insolvency and restructuring issues. His practice regularly handles financially distressed situations, Chapter 11 reorganizations and workouts.

Bruce Coggeshall is a highly respected corporate and commercial lawyer who is described as "a luminary and a mainstay." He acts as bond counsel to several Maine municipalities and outside general counsel to a number of corporations.

Charles Graceffa, described as "a star of the future" by sources, handles corporate and securities law. He has been involved in several of the firm's key deals of late, including advising Wentworth Technology over the nonpublic offering of $1.5 million of preferred stock.  

THE FIRM The business law team at Verrill Dana has had particular success advising clients in the energy and healthcare industries, and is able to call upon the firm's specialist expertise in these and other areas in order to provide a comprehensive service. The group's network of offices across the Northeast USA gives it a noted regional presence, and this been complemented by an increasing number of representations of Canadian organizations, including microfinance and telecom companies. The firm's bankruptcy practice continues to advise on all aspects of Chapter 11 restructurings, workouts and bankruptcy litigation. Notable triumphs have included advising Sea Pine, a major Boothbay Harbor employer, in its successful Chapter 11 restructuring. 

Sources say: "I find Verrill Dana attorneys to be exceptionally attuned to our business objectives - sometimes even more than we are!"

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gregory Fryer is acknowledged by clients and peers to be one of the leading corporate securities lawyers in the state. Sources maintain that he is "very analytical, very logical and a brilliant counselor."

Mark Googins handles commercial finance and transactions, with an increasing emphasis on the energy and healthcare industries. He is described as "a fantastic business adviser who never forgets a deal point." He led the team representing International Grand Investment in its acquisition of Woodland Pulp.

Alan MacEwan is an M&A specialist and experienced contract negotiator. He advises companies of vastly different size and scope on all aspects of the transaction process, and also serves as general counsel to a number of companies.

Christopher McLoon is highly regarded for his tax expertise relating to transactional issues. Sources attest that he has "no apparent weaknesses." 

Christopher Smith has a broad practice that includes advising on foreign compliance matters for companies operating abroad. In addition, he acts as outside corporate counsel for a number of US and foreign businesses and NGOs.

The "very accomplished" Roger Clement heads the firm's bankruptcy department. He regularly advises secured lenders and creditors' committees. His clients include major leisure, utility and insurance companies.

Nathaniel Hull is forging an excellent reputation for his work representing Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 trustees.

THE FIRM This firm continues to demonstrate an impressive strength in business law with transactional, restructuring and bankruptcy litigation work remaining at the fore. The firm's traditional corporate expertise is reinforced by a nationally renowned specialty in Native American law.

Sources say: "Its depth of skill and responsiveness makes it the go-to firm for any major deal in this state."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael High is widely considered to be one of the stars of the Maine legal firmament, with even his competitors acknowledging that he is "certainly a local luminary." His practice handles a broad range of matters including corporate finance, M&A and nonpublic offerings.

Benjamin Marcus practices both bankruptcy law and corporate/M&A. He is highly regarded by sources for his "combination of business savvy and bankruptcy expertise," and is praised for his ability "to make a rational compromise for the benefit of his client." 

Jeffrey Piampiano is a respected bankruptcy specialist who represents creditors, debtors and bankruptcy trustees in state and federal courts.

Aaron Pratt is a corporate M&A lawyer whose practice involves a notable element of Native American transactional work.

THE FIRM Eaton Peabody is a Bangor firm offering a full range of financial and transactional services to its business clients. The firm advises clients in the timber, healthcare and banking industries, and has a notable niche representing Canadian companies involved in cross-border trade.

Sources say: "The big firm in Bangor."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Daniel McKay is one of the most respected corporate lawyers in Maine. Sources praise his "tremendous" expertise in transactional, commercial finance and cross-border work.

David Austin handles corporate and securities law and is experienced in a range of transactional matters. 

THE FIRM Preti Flaherty's business law group serves a mixture of large and family-owned businesses on corporate and M&A work as part of the firm's full-service offering. The group of over 30 attorneys advises on a wide range of matters including commercial finance, business formation, real estate and bankruptcy.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Susan LoGiudice handles M&A and complex transactions and acts as general counsel to small and midsized companies, offering respected advice regarding all aspects of the lifecycle of a business.

John McVeigh is the leading light of the firm's bankruptcy practice, representing secured creditors in and out of court. 

THE FIRM Rudman Winchell is one of the leading firms in northern Maine. The firm's business and corporate team, based in Bangor, advises clients in a range of industries including timber, aviation and healthcare.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "tremendous" George Eaton is the firm's leading name for corporate and transactional law.